Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1887-10-15
A JAPANESE LOVE STORY

s"S 'Iiu6S VA AhOl lOhd, Ill JdDHn, SuOO
the low matched cottage In which the sis
Grs O-Suba and Niya lived with q widowed
aunt. Their father had fallen in battle,
and his wife soon followed him to the
grave, committing her children to the care
OF their only remaining relative. O-Suba,
the elder, was a brunette, with sparkling
black eyes and white teeth that shone be-
tween fall, rudy lips. She was taller
than Niya, who vas fair and slight, with
mild blue eyes and a soft voice.
For over a year O-Suba had been be-
trothed to kampei, the son Of a neighbor-
Ing farmer. Their parents had arranged
the matter. Though it was not made
formal by IN exchange Of presents, the
young people regarded it a. settled; and
the marriage was deferred only until
kampei returned frcp a campaign against
a rebel prince, in which he was to follow
his lord, his father being too old to tax
the field.
When the young man called on the sis.
ters in order to say adieu, he was morti.
fed by O-Suba's manner, which eeemeG
to show that she regarded his absence as
a reprieve; and his face betrayed his feel
ings.
''DO not look thus, good Kampei, before
your commander!n she said laughingly.
'He will think you q coward. Go aud
win booty and come back covered with
glory. Who would not be a soldier rather
than a mean farmer" she cried with ami
nation. "A warrior is a gentleman, has
his pocket full of bright silver and l.
esteemed by his lord. Go, Kampei; / shall
despise you If you hesitate!"
Kampei was stung by her tones and rose
hastily. A deep sigh reached him, and on
turning around he saw Niya sitting in a
corner OF the room, her face buried in the
loose sleeves Of her robe.
Farewell, Niya," he said.
A sob rose in the girls throat as she re-
piled, Farewell, Kampei. And remem-
Der" she fGltered, that If anything oc
ours to you, I've shall be broker
hearted"
lyon will not forget me, O-SubaP II
will cheer me TO know that"
81 shall not forget you," she said i'm
patiently; and the young man left, catch
ing u glance as he closed the garden gate
Of O-Suba waving a gay adieu, and of
Niva with her face hidden In her hands.
One day, a few months after Kan
pei's departure, his mother called at the
cottage, and after relating a pitiful tale of
bnd harvcsts, poverty and debt, said that
her husband, who was in feeble health,
would be sent to prison If she could not
obtain eighty riyos, and she begged O.
Suba, rs her sons b%etrothed, to at least
poor harshly, refused the money
and reminded her visitor that as presents
are not yet exchanged their marriage must
not be regarded as certain.
Niya in vain urged her aunt to apply a
portion of her little fortune to the farmers
relief. Her relatives were obdurate, and
the old woman was going away sadly
when the younger girl sprahg up, thrust
her feet into her sandals and hurried after
the visitor, ~overtaking her before she
reached the gate.
"When must you have the money!"
she asked.
"Within three days, Niya."
"You shall have il" said the girl; and
escaping from the thanks and blessings OF
the old woman, she returned TO the house.
She threw herself on the mat in u corner,
clasped her hands and puckered her brow
~thoughtfully.
Suddenly she uttered a joyous cry.
The screens were drawn back, leaving the
whole front OF the house open; and Niya
saw a pair Of swallows fly into the room
and perch on the space between the wall
and the ceiling, chirping and chattering
together buslly.
'Sce, sister, the pretty birds are going
to build; good fortune will be ours.
Sh-h--h! Dear O-Suba, do not disturb
themp' and she laid her hand imploringly
on her sisters arm as O-Suba laughed at
her enthusiasm.
Niya sat there eagerly watching the
movements of the birds and their many
flights to and fro while building their nest.
Her relatives went out soon after and
Niya, after a long look at the still busy
swallows, dressed herself and went out
too. When O-Suba and her aunt r.
turned Niya was not at home INK it vas
long before they saw her face.
When the army to which Kalnpei be-
longed was disbanded his comrades gave
themselves up to reveiry, while he, eager
to sec O-Suba and anxious to see about
his parents, of whose troubles he had
heard, fastened homeward.
He was within a short days journey OF
his native village, when toward sunset he
reached a tea house bearing on one of the
posts the sign ''Chaya CT the Verdant
Cherry Blossom" The screens forming
thef front were thrown back, showing the
whole inside of the house, divided into
apartments by movable partitions; and in
one of the rooms a number Of gentlemen
retainers" sat drinking, their songs reach
ing the passers by mingled with the noise
Of their quarrels.
AS Kampei cast away outside the We
randa his dusty sandals some OF the fe-
male attendants ran out to meet him with
cries of welcome.
GOOD afternoon, sir! BE good enough
to walk inside and rest, sir. The sun is
hot, the roads are parched and you must
be weary. We have liquor Of Tensuii
and Satsuma tobacco and fragrant tea. v
With many bows they led him into an
u%noccupied room, and when food and
drink were placed before him he was left
alone. He was soon waited on by another
girl, who came to inquire If he wanted
anything more, and Kampei was astound-
ed to recognize in the new conner Niya-
but not the Niya in quiet attire, with
downcast looks, whom he left behind at
Morioka. She Ind gay clothes; her hair
was adorned with large gold headed pins
and her face powdered.
Niya drew back in confusion on seeing
Kampei; then, collecting herself, she ad-
vanced, and, pretending not to recognize
him, said: GA gentleman Of the army OF
chastisement Is welcome TO the chaya.
We are thankful that he deigns to hone
our humble house by stopping here"
Kampei's face was grave as he asked
ttHow Is this. NiyaS Has misfortune over